Burning of Billboards: Hon. Francis Agbo appeals for calm
...Warns against politics of bitterness
... Says he has no enemy to fight
… I’ve Forgiven The Arsonists, Says the Ozigizaga
The Member representing Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo, has urged his supporters to remain calm and law abiding in the face of the recent attempts by a particular politician to provoke him, which culminated in the burning of his Gigantic Reflective and Communicative billboard at Ekeh Ward on the Express Way, in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Dr. Ottah Agbo who doubles as Chairman of the Narcotic Drugs Committee as well as the Spokesman, Minority Caucus said he knows who sponsored the burning of his billboard but added that, as a Christian, he has forgiven the arsonists.
The lawmaker, popularly known as the Ozigizaga and Ubagidi of Enone, who stated this while reacting to the incident, said his resolve to serve the people of Enone cannot be dampened by such cowardly acts and cannot be provoked into degenerating to the level of thuggery, violence and politics of bitterness.
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Describing the act as criminal and unfortunate, the Feedback Lawmaker said it is unimaginable that people would resort to arson and violence in the 21st Century where dialogue, persuasion and delivery of dividends of democracy should be the hallmarks of politicking.
He said: “By the grace of God and the will of the people, we shall win the PDP primary this month, as well as the 2023 general election because of the iron-clad support and solidarity, I enjoy from the people of Ado/Okpokwu,/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency. The anointing is with us and no amount of intimidation and violence can suppress the will of our people. The conspiracy against me will fizzle out like the candle in the wind. The naysayers are scanty and drowning and that is why they’ve resorted to crudity and destruction of my communicative billboards in Okpokwu.
“As a committed democrat and one of the journalists who fought for the return and entrenchment of democracy in this country, I will not descend to their level of brigandage and criminality.
“I am more concerned about using my office to get more sustainable employment to the youth in my constituency and have them develop entrepreneual skills rather than using them as thugs and arsonists against political opponents.
“Like I have always said, I have no human enemies to fight. My only enemies are poverty, ignorance, diseases and underdevelopment and not burning of the property of my opponents.”
The Lawmaker called on the youth not to allow themselves to be used as thugs and arsonists and reminded them that the politician who usually sends them to carry out such criminal acts will not use his children to do so, because of the risks involved!
“Great Enonites, don’t allow him use you, he has secured good jobs for his children but he is using you for criminal acts. Resist him for he doesn’t mean well for you.
“Next time he asks you to go and kill or burn someone’s property, tell him to use his children,” he said.
The federal lawmaker, however, said he has reported the matter to the relevant authorities for necessary action.
Meanwhile, political leaders and several groups and associations in Ado, Ogbadibo, Okpokwu Federal otherwise known as Enone Constituency have condemned the dastardly act and expressed solidarity with the Lawmaker.
